Page 72 of Marked

Seth grabs the same knife Jack threw onto the counter and presses it to Taylor’s throat. I make a protesting, strangled cry and step towards them, but Seth shakes his head at me. “You shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep, Val.”

“Seth, please—”

“Call me by my real name, Val. I want to hear it on your lips.”

I lick my dry lips and force my eyes away from Taylor to look at him. “Shezmu,” I begin. “Please let her go. I’ll do anything you want.”

“Valkyrie,” Jack warns in a sharp tone.

I ignore him, knowing full well that I will do anything to save Taylor. “Anything,” I repeat.

Seth grins at me. “I was hoping you would say that.” He presses the edge of the blade to her throat, causing a fresh bead of blood to mix with mine on the metal. “Although, I think I’m jealous that you care for her so much.”

I swallow and force myself to take another step forward. “If you want me to cut her out of my life, I will.” It would protect her from any of my future fuck ups. “Just let her go, and I’ll do whatever you want.”

Jack moves towards me, but Seth snarls at him and presses the knife harder against Taylor’s neck, making more blood spill onto the knife. “Stay back, Anubis! I don’t trust you!”

“Please listen to him,” I beg, flicking my eyes to his then back to the knife at Tay’s neck. “Don’t make this worse. I’ll do what I must for my friend.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Jack growls, the base of his voice so low and deep it makes a shiver skitter down my spine. “Do not promise a god anything, Valkyrie. Especially not a demonic one. I can’t save you from that.”

“I’m not asking you to!” I screech, very aware of the despair in my trembling voice.

“That’s my girl,” Seth coos, oblivious to the churning of my stomach. “Now, for my first demand, I want you to give me what you denied me for months.”

I blink at him. “A…kiss?”

“Yes,” he purrs. “A kiss.”

“Absolutely not!” Jack shouts, aura flaring again with his anger. “Don’t get that close to him again!”

Taylor’s lips tremble before she speaks. “No.”

Seth turns a bewildered glare on her. “Shut up, you! You’re in no position to say anything!”

But Taylor knows I don’t kiss people. How could she possibly even think of trying to protect me when I’m the reason she’s in this fucking mess?

“I’ll do it,” I say as I take a few more steps towards them. When I’m close enough to him, he shifts Taylor to the side. “Let her go, and I’ll do it.”

“No,” he scoffs. “Do you think I am stupid? You’re far too clever, Val. I don’t want you trying anything until I get what I want.”

I glance at Taylor, who’s minutely shaking her head at me, then back to Seth. “Fine.” I rub at the pawprint at the base of my sternum, trying to pass it off as wiping sweat from my hands. “Okay.” I lick my lips and lean towards him. After a brief hesitation, I lightly press my lips to him.

Anubis’ snarl is almost deafening in response, but before I can pull away, Seth cups the back of my head. He presses our lips harder together, his teeth almost bruising until I’m forced to part my lips. His tongue sweeps into my mouth, and I force back a gag at the slimy feeling.

It’s nothing like Jack’s kiss.

After an eternity of discomfort, he pulls back from me with a wide, satisfied grin. His eyes almost look dreamy as he sighs with pleasure. “Exactly how I thought you’d taste. Now that that’s done, let’s move on.”

Before I can blink or make a single move to stop him, he slashes the knife across Taylor’s throat.

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